EXPLANATORY NOTES

The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply official
endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. A dotted line represents approximately the
line of control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of
Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties. Disputed boundaries
(China/India) are represented by cross-hatch owing to the difficulty of showing sufficient detail.

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply
the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations
concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities or
concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Countries and areas are referred to by
the names that were in official use at the time the relevant data were collected.

The following notes describe certain terms, regional designations, data sources and timeframes
used throughout this document.

Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) - Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are a group of
substances comprised of synthetic stimulants, including amphetamine, methamphetamine,
methcathinone, and ecstasy-type substances (e.g. MDMA and its analogues).

ATS precursors - The primary precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of amphetamine
and methamphetamine are ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and 1-phenyl-2-propanone (P-2-P). The
primary precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of MDMA and its analogues, MDA and
MDEA, are safrole (including in the form of safrole rich oils), isosafrole, piperonal and 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone (3,4-MDP-2-P). Of these precursors, 3,4-MDP-2-P has little
legitimate use, while safrole, isosafrole and piperonal are used worldwide in the chemical and
pharmaceutical industries and thus are more prone to diversion from licit trade.

Data timeframes - The statistical seizure data for Afghanistan in this report was provided by the
Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) in accordance with the Hijri years of the
official Afghan calendar. Based on the official calendar of Afghanistan, March 2011/March 2012
is 1390 in Hijri years, March 2012/March 2013 is 1391 in Hijri years, March 2013/March 2014
is 1392 in Hijri years, and March 2014/March 2015 is 1393 in Hijri years.

Ecstasy - Tablets which are marketed to contain MDMA or other ecstasy-group substance, but
may actually contain a variety of other substances, are referred to as "ecstasy".

Methamphetamine - Methamphetamine is available in Afghanistan in two main presentations:
tablet and crystalline form. Methamphetamine tablets are typically of low purity and, in addition
to methamphetamine, may contain a variety of other substances. Crystalline methamphetamine is
usually of a much higher purity than the tablet form. Presently, methamphetamine might be sold
under various street names in Afghanistan (see Table 1, Chapter 1).

New psychoactive substances (NPS) - NPS are substances of abuse, either in a pure form or a
preparation, that are not controlled by the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs or the
1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, but which may pose a public health threat. In this
context, the term 'new' does not necessarily refer to new inventions but to substances that have
been recently become available.

Sheesha - The Dari term "Sheesha", which directly translates to "glass", appears to be a common
street name for methamphetamine in Afghanistan. It is likely that the term refers to the
crystalline appearance of the substance.

Tablet K - "Tablet K" is the street name for a drug with (perceived) stimulant effects sold in
Afghanistan. The name seems to be used for a range of tableted products sold on the drug
market. It is possible that tablets sold under the street name "tablet K" might contain
methamphetamine, MDMA, or a range of other substances. In the absence of forensic data, the
content of tablets sold as "tablet K" in Afghanistan remains unclear.

INTRODUCTION

Afghanistan's opiate market has annually accounted for the largest share of illicit opium
produced worldwide. |1| Alongside the continued dominant presence of an illicit opiate market,
recent reports indicate an increasing availability of synthetic drugs in Afghanistan and the South-Western and Central Asian region as a whole. Overall, there continue to be some significant
analytical gaps in the information and data relating to synthetic drugs in Afghanistan. The main
objective of this report is to offer some initial insights into the extent of synthetic drug
production, use, and trafficking in Afghanistan and to highlight important areas for further
research.

The phenomenon of synthetic drugs cannot be understood by focussing on Afghanistan alone.
Rather, this report situates the dynamics of synthetic drugs in the country within the wider
context of South-Western and Central Asia in order to understand the recent emergence and
origins of synthetic drugs in Afghanistan. Based on this approach, presenting the regional
perspective helps to provide a full picture of the synthetic drug situation in Afghanistan.

The research process of this report incorporated various resources and strands of information.
Much of the data and information presented in this report are derived from field research
material that was gathered over an eight-month period. The field research included missions to 5
provinces in Afghanistan, where interviews were conducted with over 100 key informants, drug
users and law enforcement officials at government offices, health service centres and drug
treatment providers (see Annex). These various sources of information have also been
supplemented by official reports involving national aggregate information and data.

1. THE SYNTHETIC DRUG SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN

A differentiated market for synthetic drugs

Methamphetamine is available in Afghanistan in two main presentations: tablet and crystalline
form. |2| The Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) forensic laboratory in Kabul has
observed that methamphetamine tablets in Afghanistan are typically of low purity and, in
addition to methamphetamine, contain a variety of substances such as dextromethorphan,
diphenhydramine, caffeine, and paracetamol. |3| Crystalline methamphetamine is usually of a
much higher purity than the tablet form. |4|

Methamphetamine is sold under various street names in Afghanistan (see Table 1). In the
Afghan provinces of Herat, Kabul, Mazar and Nangarhar, health services and drug treatment
providers reported "sheesha" to be a common street name for methamphetamine. In Kabul, street
names for methamphetamine include "nakh" or "ashkkhuda/ashk lily" which translates to "tear
of god/tears of love". In Nangarhar province, a street name for methamphetamine is "yakh"
which translates to "ice". In the province of Mazar, drug treatment providers also reported
"nabat" to be a common street name for methamphetamine, which incidentally is also the brand
name of a popular candy sold in Afghanistan. |5|

Source: Based on information provided by drug treatment providers of the Afghan Ministry of Public Health in Kabul, January 2016, and in Nangarhar, January 2016.

Based on information provided by drug treatment centres (see Annex) and the use effects
described by drug users in Afghanistan, it is likely that the drug sold under the street names of
"sheesha", "nakh", "ashkkhuda", "ashk lily", "nabat", is indeed methamphetamine. However,
drug treatment providers and drug users have no analytical means of determining the chemical
content of the drug and a degree of uncertainty remains. Attempts to understand synthetic drug
use and treatment data in Afghanistan are therefore complicated by the potentially large diversity
of street names for synthetic drugs. Thus, use and treatment figures for synthetic drugs in
Afghanistan might not provide an accurate indication of the extent of the synthetic drug market
in the country and should be treated with caution.

Several interviewed drug users report the use of a substance sold under the name of "Colombian
sheesha". |7| There is no evidence to suggest that this drug has been produced in, or originated
from, Colombia, and law enforcement authorities in Afghanistan believe that "Colombian
sheesha" is simply another street name for methamphetamine. |8|

With respect to other Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), according to the CNPA forensic
laboratory, tablets containing methamphetamine and tablets containing MDMA were seized in
Afghanistan in 2015, of which most tablets containing MDMA were seized in Kabul and
Kunduz province. |9|

A drug sold under the street name of "tablet K" has also recently appeared on illicit drug markets
in Afghanistan. |10| Due to the perceived stimulant effect, law enforcement officials assumed that
tablets sold under the street name "tablet K" might contain methamphetamine, MDMA, or a
range of other substances. |11| However, so far, there is no forensic evidence available to confirm
the chemical composition of "tablet K".

Manufacture and trafficking of methamphetamine

In recent years, there have been an increasing number of reports of methamphetamine seizures in
Afghanistan. Between March 2011 and March 2015 (1390-1393 in Hijri years of the official
Afghan calendar), the number of individual methamphetamine seizure cases in Afghanistan
increased annually (see Figure 1) from only 2 cases in March 2011/March 2012 (1390 in Hijri
years) to 153 cases in March 2014/March 2015 (1393 in Hijri years). |12|

Figure 1: Number of individual methamphetamine seizure cases reported in Afghanistan,
March 2011 - March 2015 (1390-1393 in Hijri years)

Source: Based on data provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA), March 2011 – March
2015.

Despite the increasing number of methamphetamine seizures, the overall annual quantities have
remained below 16 kg. The total quantity of methamphetamine seized in Afghanistan between
March 2011 and March 2015 (1390-1393 in Hijri years), has fluctuated annually. In March
2011/March 2012 (1390 in Hijri years) and March 2012/March 2013 (1391 in Hijri years)
methamphetamine seizures remained below 1 kg, but increased to almost 16 kg in March
2013/March 2014 (1392 in Hijri years) and dropped to around 5 kg in March 2014/March 2015
(1393 in Hijri years).

Source: Based on data provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA), March 2011 – March
2015.

On the whole, methamphetamine seizures between March 2011 and March 2015 (1390-1393 in
Hijri years) were reported in 15 provinces |13| in Afghanistan, many of which are located in the
west and south-western parts of the country (see Map 1).

Source: Based on data provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA), March 2011 – March
2015.Note: The boundaries shown on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Dashed lines represent undetermined boundaries. Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu
and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed
upon by the parties.

Between March 2011 and March 2015 (1390-1393 in Hijri years), Herat province, in the western
part of Afghanistan, reported the majority of methamphetamine seizure cases in in the country,
at a total of 177 cases. Over the same period, several methamphetamine seizures were also
reported in Kabul province at a total of 32 seizure cases, Farah province with 18 seizures cases,
and Kandahar province with 16 seizure cases. Other provinces in Afghanistan reported less than
10 methamphetamine seizure cases each between March 2011 and March 2015 (1390-1393 in
Hijri years).

Figure 3: Number of individual methamphetamine seizure cases reported in Afghanistan,
by province, March 2011 - March 2015 (1390-1393 in Hijri years)

Source: Based on data provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA), March 2011 – March
2015.

So far, most methamphetamine seizures reported in Afghanistan have been of a low quantity,
with more than 200 seizures reported to have consisted between 0.001 kg and 0.01 kg and only 3
seizures to have amounted to more than 1 kg. Whereas major methamphetamine seizures have
rarely been reported in Afghanistan, these large numbers of small quantities are indicative of
street level seizures. For example, according to interviewed drug users, 1 gram of "sheesha" can
roughly yield 10 doses. |14|

Figure 4: Frequency of methamphetamine quantities reported to have been seized in
Afghanistan, March 2011 - March 2015 (1390-1393 in Hijri years)

Source: Based on data provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA), March 2011 – March
2015.

Overall, the issue of methamphetamine trafficking has hardly been present in the national drug
discussion. Methamphetamine seizures continue to be addressed by the Provincial courts in
Afghanistan. Given that the total amount of methamphetamine reported to have been seized in
Afghanistan between March 2011 and March 2015 only adds up to just over 20 kg, |15|
methamphetamine might not have come to the attention of the Afghan Criminal Justice Task
Force (CJTF) which focusses on larger cases. |16|

Heroin trafficking remains of major concern in Afghanistan and attracts high penalties. The
sentence for trafficking methamphetamine is considerably lower than that for heroin, morphine,
opium, cocaine or hashish trafficking. This might also contribute to methamphetamine
trafficking receiving less attention compared to trafficking of drugs for which the law provides
higher penalties. |17|

Challenges of analysing seizure data

Province-based seizure reporting systems appear to be confined to five categories of drugs:
opium, morphine, heroin, hashish and acids. |18| At the provincial level, the process of
identifying and reporting seized methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs involves certain
limitations. Presently, there is no standardized drug seizure reporting format for CNPA offices
at the province level. According to CNPA officials in some provinces of Afghanistan, seizure
reporting mechanisms at the provincial level often do not provide an adequate means of
reporting ATS seizures. |19| As a result, CNPA offices in some Afghan provinces enter seizures
of suspected methamphetamine under the heroin or opium seizure categories. |20| Listing
synthetic drug seizure data under other drug categories might lead to a misrepresentation of
the synthetic drug situation in certain provinces of Afghanistan and the possibility of
methamphetamine seizures being underreported. Thus, methamphetamine seizure data
currently available for Afghanistan might not be fully indicative of the extent of the
methamphetamine situation in the country.

In recent years, illicit methamphetamine manufacture has been reported in Afghanistan. In 2013,
the manufacture of methamphetamine was confirmed in the Nimroz province, in Afghanistan. |21|
Based on the perception of government officials, there are indications that methamphetamine
seized in Afghanistan might - at least partly - have been manufactured domestically, but might
also have come across the western border with the Islamic Republic of Iran. |22| According to the
CNPA in Herat, there have also been indications of possible methamphetamine manufacture in
the Herat province. |23|

Although only one dismantled methamphetamine laboratory has been officially reported in
Afghanistan so far, risk factors for methamphetamine manufacture such as the availability of
precursor substances are still present. Annually, Afghanistan legally imports up to 0.3 tons of
pseudoephedrine and 0.05 tons of ephedrine, both of which are precursor chemicals of
methamphetamine. |24| Nevertheless, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in the form of
pharmaceutical preparations as remedies against colds are widely available all over the country.
According to the Drug Regulation Committee (DRC) in Afghanistan, it is possible that in
addition to the government quotas, larger quantities are being brought into the country across
uncontrolled border crossings, which might lead to the diversion of these chemicals for use in
illicit ATS manufacture. |25| However, information on ATS precursor chemicals in Afghanistan
remains limited and so far there have been no reports of ATS precursor chemical diversions from
legitimate trade nor seizures of those chemicals.

According to expert perception, methamphetamine might also be trafficked to Afghanistan from
other countries. Experts suspect that seized tablets containing methamphetamine and other
substances have been trafficked to Afghanistan from other parts of South-Western and Central
Asia and Europe. |26|

Overall, more information is needed to understand the dynamics of synthetic drug trafficking to
Afghanistan and the extent to which methamphetamine is being domestically produced.

Methamphetamine prices

Methamphetamine is available in the country in small quantities and at relatively high prices. |27|
CNPA officials report that the wholesale price for 1 kg of methamphetamine in Afghanistan
usually ranges between US$ 10,000 to US$ 15,000, while the same amount of heroin usually has
a wholesale price ranging between US$ 5,000 to US$ 7,000. |28|

Drug users interviewed in Afghanistan in 2016 report a wide range of "sheesha" prices, with
different prices often reported within the same province. Prices for a gram of "sheesha" in Herat
province, Kabul province, Mazar province and Nangarhar province overall tend to range
anywhere between 450-2500 Afghan Afghani (US$ 6.5 - US$ 36.4) (see Table 1). However, the
price data presented in the tables below has not been adjusted for purity.

Source: Based on data provided by drug users in Herat province, Kabulprovince, Mazarprovince and Nangarhar
province in Afghanistan, January – March 2016. Note: Each price listed reflects the price provided by an
individual drug user in an interview.*Prices are presentedfor information purposes as per the exchange rate on 1 March 2016 (which is the approximate
date for when the price data was collected) to one decimalplace. The price data was originally reported in Afghan Afghani.

In Herat province, Mazar province and Nangarhar province in Afghanistan, drug users report
that 1 dose |29| of "sheesha" is sold at a price that can range between 20-100 Afghan Afghani (US$
0.3 - US$ 1.5) (see Table 2).

Source: Based on data provided by drug users in Herat province, Mazar province and Nangarhar province in
Afghanistan, January – March 2016. Note: Each price listed reflects the price provided by an individual drug user
in an interview.*Prices are presentedfor information purposes as per the exchange rate on 1 March 2016 (which is the approximate
date for when the price data was collected) to one decimalplace. The price data was originally reported in Afghan Afghani.

Wide variations of "sheesha" prices in Afghanistan might depend on the perceived quality of
products available on the drug market. For instance, some interviewed drug users believed that
"Colombian sheesha" is of high quality and is subsequently sold at a higher price than other
types of "sheesha" on the drug market. |30| Branding a substance by association with another
country is not unusual in Afghanistan and has also been reported for different assumed qualities
of acetic anhydride, which have been branded as "Chinese", "German" or "Korean" without
necessarily originating in any of these countries. |31|

Methamphetamine use and treatment in Afghanistan

According to drug use studies, methamphetamine use in Afghanistan is limited. In 2012, the
Afghanistan National Urban Drug Use Survey (ANUDUS), conducted among 5,236 people in
capital cities of 11 province |32| in Afghanistan, found that less than 1 per cent used
methamphetamine. |33| Based on the combined results of two drug use surveys conducted in urban
and rural areas of Afghanistan over the period 2012-2014 among 10,549 people, the Afghanistan
National Drug Use Survey (ANDUS) estimated ATS to be among the least used drugs in
Afghanistan at an estimated ATS use rate of about 0.5 per cent among adults. |34| In this drug use
study, ATS was not disaggregated into methamphetamine, amphetamine and other
amphetamine-type stimulants.

However, law enforcement agencies, health providers and treatment centres in certain parts of
Afghanistan report of a perceived increase in synthetic drug use. |35| In recent years, treatment
centres in some provinces of Afghanistan have reported an increase in the number of drug users
seeking treatment for methamphetamine use. According to the records of the Afghan Ministry of
Public Health, 908 methamphetamine users |36| were registered for treatment at Government
treatment centres in Farah, Jawzjan, Kunduz and Nimroz province between 2011 and 2012. |37|
Given that the current registration system does not capture polydrug use, treatment figures
generally have to be treated with caution.

So far, the largest number of methamphetamine treatment registrations have been reported by
treatment centres in Kunduz province, in the north-east of Afghanistan, and Nimroz province, to
the south-west of Afghanistan. |38| Government treatment centres of the Afghan Ministry of Public
Health in Kunduz and Nimroz province reported a monthly average of around 20 new
registrations for methamphetamine treatment in 2011. While the average number of monthly
new registrations for methamphetamine treatment decreased to about 10 people at Government
treatment centres in Nimroz province in 2012, treatment centres in Kunduz province reported an
increase to an average of about 25 new registrations in that same year.

Figure 7: Average number of new registrations for methamphetamine treatment at
Government treatment centres of the Ministry of Public Health in selected provinces of
Afghanistan (2011-2012)

Source: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ministry of Counter Narcotics (MCN), 2013 Afghanistan Drug Report,
December 2014. Note: Based on present treatment data in Afghanistan, it is not clear whether those using
methamphetamine were also using other drugs.

In 2011, people registered for methamphetamine treatment at Government treatment centres in
four provinces of Afghanistan accounted for 13.1 per cent of the total number of new drug
treatment registrations reported by the Afghan Ministry of Public Health. |39| Later, in 2012,
methamphetamine treatment registrations at Government treatment centres in these four
provinces accounted for a 7.7 per cent share of the total number of drug treatment registrations. |40|

According to a report of the Afghan Ministry of Counter Narcotics (MCN), national
methamphetamine treatment data in Afghanistan is not comprehensive. |41| For instance, the Drug
Demand Reduction Department of the Afghan Ministry of Public Health reports that data on the
number of drug users registered for methamphetamine treatment is not available for all Afghan
provinces. |42| The limited availability of methamphetamine treatment data could be due to a
variety of reasons including low prevalence of methamphetamine use in certain provinces of
Afghanistan and poor or incomplete record keeping on methamphetamine treatment for reasons
involving difficulties or inconsistencies in registering users with polydrug use. |43|

A sizeable number of methamphetamine users in Afghanistan appear to be using the drug in
combination with heroin. This complicates the analysis of treatment figures as it does not
provide for the interpretation of polydrug use.

Synthetic drug use patterns: polydrug use and diverse modes of administration

Interviews with drug users in Afghanistan reveal that "sheesha" is frequently used in
combination with heroin. |44| Several heroin users reported to have started using "sheesha" as a
means of over-coming their heroin dependence while not being aware of the dependence
potential of "sheesha". "Sheesha" users frequently continue to use heroin jointly with "sheesha".
Based on the interviews with drug users, this sequence of initiation of use - first heroin and at a
later stage "sheesha" - seems to be common.

In cases of polydrug use involving heroin and stimulants such as methamphetamine, drug users
might attempt to offset the negative effects of the drugs by concurrently or sequentially using
additional drugs with opposite effects (see Table 4 for an overview of acute effects of opiate use,
e.g. heroin, vs. amphetamine and methamphetamine). |45| Methamphetamine use has also been
described as a new form of polydrug use among opiate users in other parts of South-Western
Asia, such as the Islamic Republic of Iran. |46| It has been reported that methamphetamine use has
had a negative influence on opioid-dependent patients in treatment in the Islamic Republic of
Iran who wrongly believed that methamphetamine use could help control their opiate
dependence and associated problems such as depression and poor sexual performance and
increase their physical energy, attention and concentration and improve social relationships (see
Table 5 for an overview of chronic effects of opiate, amphetamine and methamphetamine use). |47|
This pattern of methamphetamine use among opiate users also parallels the concomitant use of
methamphetamine reported among heroin users in Afghanistan.

Table 4: Desired and undesired acute effects of opiate, amphetamine and
methamphetamine use

With continued use, a state similar to
paranoid psychosis may develop (known as
"amphetamine psychosis")

During withdrawal there may be a long
period of sleep and depression

Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Terminology and Information on Drugs, Third
edition. New York, March 2016.

"Sheesha" users in Afghanistan demonstrate a variety of polydrug use patterns (see below, the
sample of 3 transcribed interview extracts). While several interviewed "sheesha" users reported
to use heroin prior to using "sheesha", several other users also confirmed using "sheesha" and
heroin in the reverse sequence. In interviews, the majority of "sheesha" users reported to have
frequently used both "sheesha" and heroin jointly in quick succession.

"Sheesha" users in Afghanistan reported to have used the substance by various routes of
administration. Several interviews with drug users reveal that "sheesha" is frequently smoked
(see below, the sample of 3 transcribed interview extracts), but some users also reported to have
used "sheesha" by nasal insufflation and by ingestion.

I started using cannabis 20 years ago, after which I sometimes switched to opium. For 5 years,
I used both cannabis and opium. After that, I started using heroin and I have been using it now
for 10 years. For the last 3 years, I have also been using "sheesha". I started using "sheesha"
because I was told that it would drive out the morphine from my body and help me get clean. I
didn't know that I would end up becoming dependent on both heroin and "sheesha".

I smoke shisha. Usually, I first use "sheesha" and then heroin. Generally, I use "sheesha" twice
and heroin 3 times a day. Using a combination of heroin and "sheesha" gives me more
pleasure.

Interviewee 2#

I started using heroin out of curiosity 3 years ago. For the last 2 years, I have also been using
"sheesha". "Sheesha" gives me skin allergies and stops me from sleeping. When I use
"sheesha", I often have feelings of anxiety and once I had a hallucination of someone
attacking me. I usually first use heroin and then "sheesha". At the beginning, I didn't know
that "sheesha" is addictive. When I only use heroin, my craving for "sheesha" is higher. When
I use both, heroin and "sheesha", it affects my mind less. I usually smoke "sheesha" with a
pipe.

Interviewee 3#

I've been using heroin for many years. It often makes me feel dizzy and sleepy. Five years ago
my cousin, who is also a drug user, told me I should use "sheesha" because it doesn't make
you addicted. But, "sheesha" destroys your teeth, damages your mind and makes you
paranoid. When I use "sheesha", I hate everyone, even my husband.

I usually smoke "sheesha". First I use "sheesha" and then I use heroin. In one day, I often use
both heroin and "sheesha" 3 times. My body is in pain if I only use "sheesha" without heroin.
My craving for "sheesha" is stronger than for heroin and it frightens me.

Challenges in assessing the demand for synthetic drugs in Afghanistan

Although treatment centres in Afghanistan have reported some methamphetamine treatment
registrations in recent years, the MCN finds that there are significant limitations in the data. For
instance, registration data from treatment centres in Afghanistan includes drug users that have
registered for "crystal" use treatment, which, assuming "crystal" to be a direct translation from
the Dari term "sheesha" which means "glass", could also refer to (crystalline)
methamphetamine. |48| In Afghanistan, "crystal" is a term commonly used for heroin that is
assumed to be of high quality. However, given that "sheesha" is the common street name for
methamphetamine in the Islamic Republic of Iran, experts interviewed in the context of this
assessment believe this term to be the common street name for methamphetamine in
Afghanistan. It should be noted that treatment centres in Afghanistan have no means of
ascertaining the actual substance or substances of use among drug users. |49| Treatment centres in
the country tailor their treatment programmes entirely based on the displayed symptoms of
registered drug users. |50|

In addition to the difficulties in interpreting treatment figures, a significant caveat is that the
overall prevalence of methamphetamine use among the general population is not well
understood. Still, the available data demonstrates the importance of methamphetamine for
treatment demand in Afghanistan, which, based on the analysis of the methamphetamine market
presented, is likely to persist.

On the whole, more comprehensive, detailed and systematic information is needed to establish
the size and nature of the methamphetamine problem in Afghanistan. For now, this assessment
demonstrates the presence of methamphetamine use in Afghanistan, particularly among heroin
users. This information is relevant to drug treatment centres and provides a useful guidance in
shaping drug policies.

2. SYNTHETIC DRUGS IN SOUTH-WESTERN AND CENTRAL ASIA

Despite a number of findings on methamphetamine in Afghanistan, there are many questions
that remain unanswered: What is the size of the methamphetamine market in Afghanistan? Is the
drug market in Afghanistan generally becoming increasingly diversified? What is the extent of
the methamphetamine problem in relation to other drugs in the country? And, is
methamphetamine mostly sourced locally or does it originate from other countries in the region?

Although the initial assessment presented in this report cannot offer conclusive answers to these
questions, the methamphetamine situation in Afghanistan might be better understood by taking
the regional context into account. Regional data and information on trafficking, use and
manufacture demonstrates that Afghanistan is not the only country in the region where there is a
growing concern over methamphetamine. Other countries in South-Western and Central Asia,
such as the Islamic Republic of Iran, have an established presence of methamphetamine and
might be facing a more severe methamphetamine issue than Afghanistan.

Map 2: Countries in South-Western and Central Asia covered in this report

Note: The boundaries shown on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Dashed lines represent undetermined boundaries. Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu
and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed
upon by the parties.

The methamphetamine situation in South-Western and Central Asia

The ATS market in South-Western and Central Asia predominantly consists of
methamphetamine. Between 2007 and 2014, methamphetamine seizures accounted for around 93
per cent of all ATS seizures reported in the region, followed by amphetamine seizures at 6 per
cent and non-specified ATS which accounted for about 1 per cent.

Over the years, large amounts of ATS have been seized in South-Western and Central Asia.
From around 1.5 tons of ATS reported to have been seized in 2009 and 2010, ATS seizures
surged to almost 4 tons in 2011 and remained at high levels above 3.6 tons in 2012 and 2013. In
2014, ATS seizures were reported to have dropped to around 2.7 tons.

The large amount of ATS seizures reported in South-Western and Central Asia between 2009
and 2014 is primarily attributable to seizures reported in the Islamic Republic of Iran. With the
exception of 2009, methamphetamine seizures reported in the Islamic Republic of Iran have
annually accounted for the majority of ATS seized in SouthWestern and Central Asia.
Methamphetamine seizures reported in the Islamic Republic of Iran increased significantly from
less than 0.01 ton in 2007 to more than 3.9 tons in 2011 and remained at high levels in 2012 at
3.4 tons and in 2013 at 3.7 tons, but reduced to around 2.5 tons in 2014.

In 2015 and 2016, a significant increase of amphetamine seizures has also been reported in
Pakistan. The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) in Pakistan reported an increase of amphetamine
seizures from less than 20 kg in 2013 and in 2014 to about 2.9 tons in 2015 and 2.6 tons
(preliminary figure) in 2016. Although methamphetamine seizures in Pakistan have remained at
comparatively low levels, the ANF also reported an increase of methamphetamine seizures from
about 0.02 tons in 2013 to more than 0.1 tons (preliminary figure) in 2016.

Based on individual seizure information reported by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Pakistan
between 2014 and 2016, there have been a small number of large scale amphetamine and
methamphetamine seizures in remote areas and a large number of small scale seizures at airports
and seaports in large cities such as Islamabad and Karachi. |51|

In addition, Kazakhstan reported a large seizure of almost 0.2 tons of non-specified ATS in
2012. |52| Smaller quantities of amphetamine and "ecstasy" were also reported to have been seized
in Kazakhstan between 2012 and 2014, consisting of less than 4 kg. |53|

Insufficient data are available to establish the size of the ATS market based on use figures for
South-Western and Central Asia. For the Islamic Republic of Iran there are no systematic ATS
use studies available. However, together with the large amounts of methamphetamine seized and
dismantled methamphetamine laboratories, there are indications of a significant domestic
methamphetamine market. In 2014, expert perception in the Islamic Republic of Iran identified
methamphetamine as the second most used ATS in the country after amphetamine, while ATS
was generally identified as the second most used drug group in the country after opioids for that
same year. |54| Moreover, according to expert perception, there was a large increase of
methamphetamine use in the country in 2012 and again in 2013. |55| Moreover, some increase has
been perceived in ATS-related mortality in the Islamic Republic of Iran in 2012 and there has
been a perceived rise in the number of people receiving treatment for ATS use in the country. |56|

The full extent of the ATS market in South-Western and Central Asia remains unclear. A drug
use survey in Pakistan revealed that ATS are indeed consumed in the country, albeit at much
lower rates than opiates and cannabis. While drugs under international control were found to
have a prevalence of 6 per cent annual use among people aged 15 to 64 in the country,
methamphetamine was found to have an annual use of 0.02 per cent and ATS had an annual use
of 0.08 per cent. |57| Annual ATS use was reported to be highest in Balochistan province, to the
west of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran. |58|

In Kazakhstan, there are some indications of spreading ATS use among students. The results of a
drug use survey among students aged 16 to 24 in 2012 display a lifetime prevalence of "ecstasy"
use at 2.3 per cent and lifetime use of amphetamines (excluding "ecstasy") at 1.0 per cent, both
of which are higher than that of cocaine use at 0.8 per cent, but below cannabis use at 11.2 per
cent. |59| In addition, the survey results for that year recorded a lifetime prevalence of tranquilisers
and sedative use below that of "ecstasy" use, at 2.1 per cent. |60|

In recent years, there have also been indications of "ecstasy" and amphetamine use in certain
countries of South-Western and Central Asia. According to expert perception, amphetamine was
identified as the most commonly used ATS in Tajikistan and in Pakistan in 2014. |61|

So far, the overall prevalence of ATS use among the general population in South-Western and
Central Asian countries is not known. Still, the available data indicate a wide-spread availability
for ATS in the region. Therefore, more information and data is needed to have a clearer
understanding of the size of the ATS market in the region.

Methamphetamine manufacture in South-Western and Central Asia

In South-Western and Central Asia, illicit ATS manufacture has predominantly been reported in
the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 2012, the country reported to have dismantled 214
methamphetamine laboratories, rising to 445 methamphetamine laboratories in 2013 and
dismantling another 340 methamphetamine laboratories in 2014. |62| Large amounts of chemicals
for legitimate purposes such as pseudoephedrine, which could be diverted for the use in the
manufacture of ATS, are available in the Islamic Republic of Iran. For instance, in 2014, the
country reported a legitimate requirement of 55 tons of pseudoephedrine increasing from just 5
tons in 2006. |63|

Data on illicit drug manufacture indicates that synthetic drug manufacture might have also
spread to other countries in Central Asia. In Kazakhstan, a methamphetamine laboratory was
dismantled in 2008, while prior to that a methcathinone laboratory was dismantled in Kyrgyzstan
in 2007. |64| However, no ATS laboratories have been discovered in Central Asia since then.

Given the high annual legitimate requirements for pseudoephedrine in Pakistan, there is a risk
that these two substances could be diverted for illicit ATS manufacture in the region. Pakistan's
reported requirement for pseudoephedrine rose from 10 tons in 2007 to 48 tons in 2012 and have
remained at a high level in 2014 at 29.5 tons. |65| Seizure reports point to the diversion of
precursors from licit trade in the region. A number of incidents were reported by the Iranian
Government to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) in 2011 involving more than
0.5 tons of ephedrine smuggled from Pakistan. |66| In Pakistan, there have also been investigations
into the alleged diversion of large amounts of ephedrine since March 2012. |67| Overall, more
information and data is needed to understand regional ATS manufacturing trends.

3. CONCLUDING REMARKS

On the whole, there are indications of increasing activity in the synthetic drug market in
Afghanistan and the wider South-Western and Central Asian region. Although data and
information remains scarce, reports from law enforcement officials, drug treatment providers,
forensic experts and drug users in Afghanistan point to a differentiated market for synthetic
drugs. Increases in the number of methamphetamine seizures, together with reports of
methamphetamine manufacture and increases in treatment registrations in certain parts of the
country, suggest that synthetic drugs are of growing concern in Afghanistan.

Given the presence of synthetic drugs in Afghanistan, it is important to enhance data collection
and monitoring. Reporting mechanisms with regard to opiates are established in Afghanistan.
However, methamphetamine seizure data might be incomplete as a result of inconsistent
reporting formats among law enforcement offices. A standardized reporting mechanism is
essential to establish a comprehensive overview of the synthetic drug situation in Afghanistan.

In particular, methamphetamine street names present a challenge for health services and
treatment providers in Afghanistan. Although experts interviewed in the context of this
assessment believe "sheesha" to be the common street name for methamphetamine in
Afghanistan, treatment centres have no means of ascertaining the actual substance or substances
of use among drug users. Therefore, more scientific evidence and forensic information is needed
on the content of drugs sold under various street names in the country to determine the extent of
methamphetamine and other synthetic drug use.

To understand the nature of the synthetic drugs market in the country, more forensic data and
information is needed on the content and purity of "sheesha". Enhanced information sharing
between forensic laboratories and law enforcement entities could help to address this issue.

Treatment data relating to synthetic drugs also remains limited. In order to gain an insight into
the magnitude of the synthetic drug situation in Afghanistan it is important for health service
providers and treatment centres to maintain records in connection with synthetic drugs as well as
for other illicit drugs. Data collection on poly drug use patterns are particularly important. This
form of drug use can pose a serious challenge for treatment and health providers and more
information and data is needed to design effective responses.

The current national drug control law seems to provide a much lower penalty framework for
methamphetamine compared to other drugs such as heroin or cocaine. At the time of writing of
this report, a review of the national counter narcotics law was pending.

Have ATS/methamphetamine been seized in your region? And if so, how much and at which
frequency have ATS/methamphetamine been seized?

What is the process of reporting ATS/methamphetamine seizures?

At what prices are ATS and methamphetamine being sold in your region and in Afghanistan
generally?

How and from where is ATS and methamphetamine being trafficked to your
region/Afghanistan?

What is the legal framework to addressing ATS/methamphetamine use and trafficking in
Afghanistan?

What is the policy approach to addressing ATS/methamphetamine use in Afghanistan?

[Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna, Jan17]

Notes:

1. For more information see United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), World Drug Report
2016. New York, May 2016; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Impacts of Drug Use on Users
and their Families in Afghanistan. Vienna, April 2014. [Back]

2. Based on information provided by the Precursor Control Unit (PCU) of the Counter Narcotics Police of
Afghanistan (CNPA), January 2016. [Back]

3. Based on information provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) forensic
laboratory in Kabul, December 2015. [Back]

4. Based on information provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) forensic
laboratory in Kabul, December 2015. [Back]

5. Based on information provided by drug treatment providers of the Afghan Ministry of Public Health in
respective provinces, January 2016 (see Annex I for the list of institutions visited). [Back]

14. Based on data provided by drug users in Herat province, Kabul province, Mazar province and Nangarhar
province in Afghanistan, January - March 2016. [Back]

15. Based on information provided by the Afghan Ministry of Counter Narcotics (MCN) and the Counter
Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA), January-March 2016. [Back]

16. Based on information provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) forensic
laboratory in Kabul, December 2015. [Back]

17. According to information available at the time of drafting of this report, methamphetamine is regulated
under Art. 47 of the Afghan Law Against Intoxicating Drinks and Drugs of 14th June 2010. The penalty framework
of Art. 47 starts at up to 1 month of imprisonment for trafficking of up to 250 g of substances regulated under this
Article. By comparison, the penalty framework for trafficking of 250 g of heroin would be between three and five
years of imprisonment (Art. 42). [Back]

18. Based on information provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) in Balkh
province, March 2016. [Back]

19. Based on information provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) in Balkh and
Herat province, February-March 2016. [Back]

20. Based on information provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) in Balkh
province, March 2016. [Back]

22. Based on information provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) in Herat
province, February 2016. [Back]

23. Based on information provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) in Herat
province, February 2016. [Back]

24. For more information see United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Global Synthetic Drugs
Assessment: Amphetamine-type stimulants and new psychoactive substances, New York, May 2014. [Back]

25. Based on information provided by the Precursor Control Unit (PCU) of the Counter Narcotics Police of
Afghanistan (CNPA), January 2016. [Back]

26. Based on information provided by the Drug Regulation Committee (DRC) of Afghanistan, January 2016. [Back]

27. Based on information provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) in Herat
province, February 2016. [Back]

28. Based on information provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) forensic
laboratory in Kabul, December 2015. [Back]

29. According to interviewed drug users, 1 gram of "sheesha" can roughly yield 10 doses; Based on data
provided by drug users in Herat province, Kabul province, Mazar province and Nangarhar province in Afghanistan,
January - March 2016. [Back]

30. Based on data provided by drug users in Herat province, Mazar province and Nangarhar province in
Afghanistan, January - March 2016. [Back]

33. United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
(INL), "INL Demand Reduction Program Research Brief." Afghanistan National Urban Drug Use Survey
(ANUDUS), December 2012. [Back]

34. Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the Ministry of Counter Narcotics (MCN) and the United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Afghanistan National Drug Use Survey (ANDUS), 2015. [Back]

35. Based on information provided by the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) in Balkh
province, March 2016; Based on information provided by the Precursor Control Unit (PCU) of the Counter
Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA), January 2016. [Back]

36. Based on present treatment data in Afghanistan, it is not clear whether those using methamphetamine
were also using other drugs. [Back]

44. This section of the report is based on information provided by drug users registered at treatment centres
of the Afghan Ministry of Public Health in Balkh, Herat, and Kabul province in Afghanistan, January-February
2016. [Back]

45. For more information see United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), World Drug Report
2016. New York, May 2016 [Back]

65. International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Precursors and chemicals frequently used in the illicit
manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, New York, January 2013; International Narcotics
Control Board (INCB), Precursors and chemicals frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances 2014, New York, March 2015. [Back]

66. International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Precursors and chemicals frequently used in the illicit
manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, New York, January 2013. [Back]

67. International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Precursors and chemicals frequently used in the illicit
manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, New York, January 2013. [Back]

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